Japanese songs that boost your motivation to study: uplifting tracks to enhance focus and drive

After the rainWANIMA

Ameagari

If you want to snap into focus mode in a short time, this track—now a staple at WANIMA’s live shows—is perfect.

It’s included on their first mini-album, “Can Not Behaved!!,” released in October 2014, and it’s packed with the band’s early, raw energy.

The lyrics, which acknowledge anxiety and doubt while ultimately urging you to look ahead and move forward, will surely bolster your nerves before an exam.

Even when you’re down after a poor mock test result, listening to this song will help you reset—like your field of vision suddenly opening up.

Revolutionary JourneyAina ji Endo

Aina the End / On the Road of Revolution – On The Way [Official Music Video] (TV anime “Dandadan” Season 2 Opening Theme)

A highly addictive track that fuses a fast-paced, poppy sound with a mysterious melody.

The lyrics capture the strength to keep running to protect what matters, even while carrying a sentimental heart.

Released for streaming in July 2025 by the husky-voiced singer-songwriter Aina the End, the song also drew attention for being chosen as the opening theme for Season 2 of the popular anime “Dandadan.” Its distinctive worldview is on display in the music video, which portrays the duality of humans and yokai.

Highly recommended as background music when you need to switch into work or study mode, or push through that last stretch.

That’s Why I Gave Up MusicYorushika

Yorushika – That’s Why I Gave Up on Music (Music Video)

A quintessential Yorushika track whose invigorating piano and powerful band sound shake the heart.

Closing out the April 2019 album “Dakara Boku wa Ongaku wo Yameta” (“That’s Why I Gave Up on Music”), this song conveys, almost painfully, the inner struggle of a young man quitting music.

It’s said to be based on the worries n-buna had in his late teens to around twenty, and that raw emotion really hits home.

The up-tempo, emotional feel naturally lifts your spirits just by listening.

It’s the perfect push as background music when you want to focus on work or study, or when you need that one last burst of effort.

Future ProjectionRyukku to soine gohan

Rucksack and Cuddle-Sleep Meal / Blueprint of the Future [Lyric Video]

Ryoku to Soinene Gohan have been winning over listeners with lyrics that affirm everyday, subtle feelings and a warm sound.

This track, driven by a sense of speed and a solid, grounded vocal, stays close to a heart where anxiety and hope intertwine, giving you a powerful push forward.

It affirms all the effort you’ve put in so far and gives you the courage to step into a new season—perfect for anyone facing a make-or-break moment.

Released ahead of its inclusion on the March 2024 album “Terminal,” the song was written as a tie-in for Otsuka Pharmaceutical’s Calorie Mate campaign supporting exam-takers, “Dear Us on the Day Before the Exam.” Listen to it on the anxious night before your test, and it’s sure to give you the strength to look ahead.

R.Y.U.S.E.I.Sandaime Jē Sōru Burazāzu fromu Eguzairu Toraibu

Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE / “R.Y.U.S.E.I.” Music Video

Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE captivate fans with exhilarating momentum and energetic vocals.

This track features an uplifting EDM-infused sound and lyrics that stir the heart with themes of bonds between friends and passion for dreams.

Released as a single in 2014, it is known for being used as the campaign song for Tokyo City Keiba 2014 and for the Running Man dance performed by all members during the instrumental break, which became a social phenomenon.

It’s perfect for refreshing your mood during monotonous tasks or psyching yourself up at your desk—listen, and you’ll naturally feel your motivation rise.

FanfareTamaki Kōji

Koji Tamaki “Fanfare” MUSIC VIDEO (Theme song for TBS Sunday Theater ‘The Royal Family’)

In the days you devote to studying for exams, don’t you ever feel a moment when your heart is about to break? That’s exactly when I want you to listen to a powerful track by Koji Tamaki, the singer-songwriter renowned for his overwhelming vocal prowess.

Released as a single in November 2025, this piece was chosen as the theme song for the TBS Sunday drama “The Royal Family.” Its lyrics, layered with memories of his childhood landscapes in Hokkaido and growing up alongside horses, teach us the importance of moving straight ahead as our true selves—not just chasing wins and losses.

Carried by a driving, exhilarating melody, his voice will warm you and give you a strong push forward through those anxious nights.

Burn!Fuji Kaze

Fujii Kaze – MO-EH-YO (Official Video)

Singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii, who continues to captivate many with his outstanding piano playing and vocals.

Released in 2021 as a Google Pixel commercial song and included on the album “LOVE ALL SERVE ALL,” this track is a fiery pep song that lights a spark in listeners’ hearts.

Many of you may remember his performance on the Kōhaku Uta Gassen.

Its message—embracing even failures and embarrassment and urging you to move forward—will surely resonate deeply with exam-takers battling anxiety.

When your studies hit a wall or you need one last push, listening to it will fill you with energy from within.